How common are meningitis and septicaemia?
Meningitis and septicaemia are not very common, but they are serious. These diseases are the commonest cause of death among children aged one to five years, and the most common infectious disease causing death in children and young people. Viral meningitis, although probably more common than meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, is rarely serious. There are also other types of bacterial meningitis in the UK, but they are less common.
